Reprint of the original, first published in 1875.

From the Mediterranean to the Alps, from fine art to fine pasta, experience Italy with the most up-to-date 2021 guide from Rick Steves! Inside Rick Steves Italy you'll find: Comprehensive coverage for planning a multi-week trip to Italy Rick's strategic advice on how to get the most out of your time and money, with rankings of his must-see favorites Top sights and hidden gems, from the Colosseum and Michelangelo's David to corner trattorias and that perfect scoop of gelato How to connect with local culture: Walk in Caesar's footsteps through the ruins of the Forum, discover the relaxed rhythms of sunny Cinque Terre, or chat with fans about the latest soccer match (calcio, to locals) Beat the crowds, skip the lines, and avoid tourist traps with Rick's candid, humorous insight The best places to eat, sleep, and experience la dolce far niente Self-guided walking tours of lively neighborhoods and museums Vital trip-planning tools, like how to link destinations, build your itinerary, and get from place to place Detailed maps, including a fold-out map for exploring on the go Useful resources including a packing list, Italian phrase book, historical overview, and recommended reading Updated to reflect changes that occurred during the Covid-19 pandemic up to the date of publication Over 1,000 bible-thin pages include everything worth seeing without weighing you down Coverage of Venice, Padua, the Dolomites, Lake Country, Milan, the Italian Riviera, Florence, Pisa, Lucca, Hill Towns of Central Italy, Siena, Tuscany, Rome, Naples, Pompeii, Capri, the Amalfi Coast, and much more Make the most of every day and every dollar with Rick Steves Italy. Planning a one- to two-week trip? Check out Rick Steves Best of Italy.

Whether you're rambling down Las Ramblas or making your way down the Gran Via, take your time getting to know Spain's top cities with Moon Barcelona & Madrid. Inside you'll find: Flexible itineraries for up to a week in Barcelona or Madrid that can be combined into a 2-week trip, including day trips to Montserrat, the Penedès wine region, Toledo, and more Strategic advice for foodies, art lovers, history buffs, and more Must-see highlights and unique experiences: Marvel at Gaudi's architectural masterpiece Sagrada Familia, stroll through the baroque Royal Palace, or contemplate Picasso's Guernica and Velázquez's Las Meninas. Cheer for the home team at a fútbol match, people-watch from a sunny café terrace, or climb to the top of Mount Tibidabo and explore the lush surrounding park Savor the flavors of Barcelona and Madrid: Sample mouthwatering jamon or zumo at a sprawling market or snag a table at a Michelin-starred restaurant. Post up with the locals at a no-frills tapas joint, sip authentic vermouth, or snack on the catch of the day at a beach-front bar Honest suggestions from Madrid local Jessica Jones Full-color photos and detailed maps throughout Background information on the landscape, history, and cultural customs of each city Handy tools such as visa information, Spanish and Catalan phrasebooks, and local insight for solo travelers, visitors with disabilities, seniors, LGBTQ travelers, travelers of color, and families with children With Moon's practical tips and local insight, you can enjoy Barcelona and Madrid at your own pace. For more of Europe's best cities, try Moon Rome, Florence & Venice.

Discover Spain with the most incisive and entertaining guidebook on the market. Whether you plan on exploring Andalucia's White Towns, sampling the legendary nightlife of Madrid or hiking in the Picos de Euuropa, this new edition of The Rough Guide to Spain will show you the ideal places to sleep, eat, drink, shop and visit along the way. Inside The Rough Guide to Spain - Independent, trusted reviews written with Rough Guides' trademark blend of humour, honesty and insight, to help you get the most out of your visit. - Full-colour maps throughout - navigate the backstreets of Barcelona or Granada's Albaicín without needing to get online. - Stunning, inspirational images - a rich collection of inspiring colour photography. - Things not to miss - Rough Guides' rundown of Spain's best sights and experiences. - Itineraries - carefully planned routes to help you organize your trip. - Detailed city coverage - whether visiting the big sights or venturing off the tourist trail, this travel guide has in-depth practical advice for every step of the way. Areas covered include: Madrid, Segovia, Toledo, Castilla-La Mancha, Extremadura, Andalucía, Castilla y León, La Rioja, the País Vasco, Navarra, Cantabria, Asturias, Galicia, Aragón, Barcelona, Catalunya, Valencia, Murcia, and the Balearics. Attractions include: Museo del Prado, Reina Sofía, El Escorial, Mérida, the Alhambra, La Mezquita, Parque Nacional Coto de Doñana, Univeridad de Salamanca, Burgos Cathedral, Museo Guggenheim, Santiago de Compostela's cathedral,Sagrada Família, Fundació Joan Miró, Teatre-Museu Dalí, La Ciudad de las Artes y Ciencias, and the Palma Cathedral. - Basics - essential pre-departure practical information including getting there, local transport, festivals, culture and etiquette; sports and outdoor activities, tourist information and more - Background information - a Contexts chapter devoted to history, wildlife flamenco and books and with a handy language section covering Castilian (Spanish), Catalan, Basque and Galician. Make the Most of Your Time on Earth with The Rough Guide to Spain About Rough Guides: Escape the everyday with Rough Guides. We are a leading travel publisher known for our "tell it like it is" attitude, up-to-date content and great writing. Since 1982, we've published books covering more than 120 destinations around the globe, with an ever-growing series of ebooks, a range of beautiful, inspirational reference titles, and an award-winning website. We pride ourselves on our accurate, honest and informed travel guides.

The Eve of Spain demonstrates how the telling and retelling of one of Spain’s founding myths played a central role in the formation of that country’s national identity. King Roderigo, the last Visigoth king of Spain, rapes (or possibly seduces) La Cava, the daughter of his friend and counselor, Count Julian. In revenge, the count travels to North Africa and conspires with its Berber rulers to send an invading army into Spain. So begins the Muslim conquest and the end of Visigothic rule. A few years later, in Northern Spain, Pelayo initiates a Christian resistance and starts a new line of kings to which the present-day Spanish monarchy traces its roots. Patricia E. Grieve follows the evolution of this story from the Middle Ages into the modern era, as shifts in religious tolerance and cultural acceptance influenced its retelling. She explains how increasing anti-Semitism came to be woven into the tale during the Christian conquest of the peninsula—in the form of traitorous Jewish conspirators. In the sixteenth century, the tale was linked to the looming threat of the Ottoman Turks. The story continued to resonate through the Enlightenment and into modern historiography, revealing the complex interactions of racial and religious conflict and evolving ideas of women’s sexuality. In following the story of La Cava, Rodrigo, and Pelayo, Grieve explains how foundational myths and popular legends articulate struggles for national identity. She explores how myths are developed around few historical facts, how they come to be written into history, and how they are exploited politically, as in the expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492 followed by that of the Moriscos in 1609. Finally, Grieve focuses on the misogynistic elements of the story and asks why the fall of Spain is figured as a cautionary tale about a woman’s sexuality.